US20040245125A1 - Aerosol collection cap and container - Google Patents
Aerosol collection cap and container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040245125A1 US20040245125A1 US10/833,163 US83316304A US2004245125A1 US 20040245125 A1 US20040245125 A1 US 20040245125A1 US 83316304 A US83316304 A US 83316304A US 2004245125 A1 US2004245125 A1 US 2004245125A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- tube
- collection
- specimen
- swab
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5029—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures using swabs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B10/00—Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
- A61B10/0045—Devices for taking samples of body liquids
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B10/00—Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
- A61B10/0096—Casings for storing test samples
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
- B01L3/5082—Test tubes per se
- B01L3/50825—Closing or opening means, corks, bungs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
- B01L2200/0684—Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/08—Ergonomic or safety aspects of handling devices
- B01L2200/082—Handling hazardous material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N2001/002—Devices for supplying or distributing samples to an analysing apparatus
- G01N2001/005—Packages for mailing or similar transport of samples
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N2001/028—Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
Definitions
- the present invention relates to microbiological swabs used to collect a culture from a patient and methods of processing the culture.
- Microbiological swabs are used to collect a specimen from a patient.
- the swab typically comprises an absorbent tip at one end of a shaft or stem. The other end may be fixed to a stopper or cap. After the specimen is collected, the absorbent end of the swab is placed in a plastic tube having a closed end. The stopper or cap fits onto the open end of the tube to seal the tube.
- the tube typically includes an amount of a transport medium to allow any organism collected on the swab tip to multiply so that they can be detected at a diagnostic laboratory.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,129 discloses a collection and transport device that comprises a flexible outer tube and a frangible ampoule containing a culture medium. After the specimen is collected the frangible ampoule is broken and then a cap is placed over the open end of the tube to seal the tube for transport.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,792 discloses a collection kit which comprises a flexible wire swab which has an elongated stem.
- the swab fits into a plastic tube.
- a tubular plastic cap telescopes snugly over the cap.
- the cap has a reduced diameter tubular neck which telescopically receives the end of the swab. In this was the effective length of the swab can be adjusted to collect a culture from a long body passage.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,655 Another specimen collection package is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,655.
- the package comprises a tube, a cap adapted to close the tube, a swabbing device within the tube, a culture sustaining media within the tube and a carbon fiber pledget to help preserve the viability of microorganisms obtained by use of the swab.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,017 discloses a double-ended stopper for a collection tube.
- the male end of the stopper is used to seal the tube and keep the interior sterile before use.
- a separate swab is used to take a specimen and is then inserted about 3 ⁇ 4 of the way into the tube.
- the protruding end is broken at a pre-scored point by bending the shaft against the side of the tube.
- internal gripping means grasp the broken end of the shaft and force the swab down into the tube into contact with a culture medium and at the same time the open end of the tube is sealed.
- the present invention addresses the problem of health hazards for laboratory workers handling microbiological swab specimens that have been transported to the laboratory.
- An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a cap for a microbiological swab collection and transport device that reduces the potential for infection of laboratory personnel due to the generation of aerosols when the cap is removed.
- a cap for a specimen collection and transport system comprising i) a plug portion that has a head adapted to fit snugly into the open end of the culture tube to seal it for transportation and ii) a skirt portion extending from the plug portion.
- the skirt portion comprises an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall joined to define an aerosol collection chamber
- a specimen kit for collecting and transporting a microbiological sample comprises:
- a cap said cap having a plug portion and a skirt portion wherein the skirt portion comprises an aerosol collection chamber.
- the cap is axially moveable on the tube from a sealing position is which the head of the plug portion fits snugly into the open end of the tube to a venting position in which the aerosol collection chamber is in fluid communication with the interior of the tube.
- a cap in another aspect of the invention, comprises an internal groove formed by a double wall along at least part of the longitudinal perimeter of the cap.
- the aerosol collection chamber is formed in a space above the double walled groove.
- the inner surface of the double wall may include threads which can interact with grooves on the outer perimeter of the collection tube or vice versa.
- the present invention provides a microbiological specimen collection kit comprising a cap as defined above and a specimen collection tube adapted to be sealed by said cap.
- the microbiological specimen collection kit also comprises a swab and preferably further comprises a growth medium.
- the microbiological specimen collection kit may be provided in sterile packaging.
- a method of collecting a microbiological specimen for analysis comprises swabbing a surface, inserting the swab into a microbiological specimen kit as defined above, transporting and incubating the swab and then removing the swab from the collection tube for analysis by releasing the seal of the cap and allowing the air pressure to equalize before removing the cap.
- FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a specimen kit of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a collection cap for the specimen kit illustrated in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 1C is a perpective view of a culture tube for the specimen collection kit of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a specimen kit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of a specimen collection kit according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3B is a sectional view through the cap of the specimen collection kit shown in FIG. 3A.
- FIG. 1A One embodiment of a specimen collection device according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A.
- the device 10 comprises a culture tube 12 and a cap 14 .
- the cap 14 and tube 12 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 1B and 1C.
- the cap 14 comprises a generally cylindrical plug portion 16 that includes a head 18 that seals the tube 12 .
- the cap 14 also includes an integral skirt portion 24 which extends from the generally cylindrical plug portion 16 .
- the skirt portion 24 comprises an outer cylindrical wall 26 joined to an inner cylindrical wall 28 .
- the inner wall 28 is spaced from the outer wall 26 to define an aerosol collection chamber 30 .
- the cylindrical skirt may be biased inwardly to tightly grip the sides of the collection tube.
- a thread and groove system may be provided so that the cap can be screwed onto the tube.
- the culture tube 12 typically has a closed end 32 and a neck 34 with an open end 36 .
- the head 18 of the plug portion 16 fits snugly into the open end 36 to provide an airtight seal on the tube.
- the culture tube can be modified in ways known in the art to provide a ready source of a desired culture medium.
- the cap of the present invention may be provided in combination with a culture tube as shown in the drawings. It is also clearly apparent that the cap can be provided alone for use with standard specimen containers.
- the diameter of the inner cylindrical wall 28 is selected so that the inner wall slidably engages the outer surface 38 of the culture tube 12 .
- the cap can move from a sealed position to a venting position. In the sealed position, the head 18 of the plug portion 16 fits snugly into the open end 36 of the tube. In the venting position (not shown), the plug has been released and the inner wall of the skirt portion has been moved up on the tube to a position where the cap is still covering the opening of the tube and there is communication between the interior of the tube and the aerosol collection chamber.
- a sterile swab for specimen collection is optionally provided as an attachment to the cap or it can be provided separately.
- the plug portion 16 includes a swab channel 40 that receives the upper end 42 of the shaft of a swab 44 .
- a cap 50 which has a receptacle 52 for holding a swab handle 54 .
- the swab-holding receptacle 52 is formed in the end part of the cap.
- the cap may be provided with the swab handle secured in position or the cap may be provided so that the user inserts the swab into place.
- the cap includes an elongate aerosol chamber 56 which is adapted to communicate with the open end 58 of a collection tube 60 .
- the cap also includes a circular groove 62 which accepts the circular wall 64 of at the open end 58 of the collection tube.
- the fit of the circular wall of the collection tube into the groove of the cap is sufficiently tight to hold the cap in position on the tube.
- threads on the inside of the cap interact with grooves on the outer surface of the collection tube and the cap can be screwed into a tight fit.
- the collection tube may have a neck portion 70 as shown in FIG. 3.
- the neck portion is adapted to fit inside the circular groove in the cap.
- the diameter of the cap circular groove is adapted to accept the open end of any standard collection tube.
- the hollow aerosol collection chamber 56 inside the cap allows for an equalization of air pressure. This reduces the “bouncing effect” and minimizes the formation of aerosols.
- the equalization of pressure is beneficial both before and after the specimen is collected.
- Before use when the cap is removed there is no vacuum so air-borne contaminants are not pulled into the tube.
- When a microbial population has been growing inside the tube there may be the generation of gases.
- the cap when the cap is then removed there is a reduced aerosol formation since the gases can equalize in the aerosol collection chamber. This results in a reduced risk of infection by inhalation by a laboratory worker and also reduces the risk of cross-contamination between cultures and contamination of laboratory surfaces.
- the cap is provided with the swab attached.
- the cap and tube are preferably provided in sterile packaging.
- a specimen is collected and transported to the laboratory in a specimen kit according to the present invention.
- the cap of the present invention collects aerosol generated during the process and prevent unnecessary contamination of laboratory workers and surfaces.
- the cap is in the sealed position with the head of the plug portion firmly engaged in the open end of the tube.
- a laboratory worker releases the plug and slides up the cap. Any aerosols that are generated when the plug is released will be trapped in the skirt portion and infectious air particles will be collected into the aerosol collection chamber. This prevents the aerosols from being transmitted into the air and potentially contaminating laboratory surfaces that can result in the spread of infectious agents to laboratory workers.
- the unique cap of the present invention is also particularly useful in preventing the inhalation of respiratory pathogens by a laboratory worker.
- the gases are equalized between the tube and the cap when the tube is gradually removed from the groove in the cap. Any aerosol particles that are formed will be collected on the interior surfaces of the cap.
- cap and specimen kit provided in accordance herewith are readily and economically manufactured by mass production techniques such as conventional molding procedures.
- the various parts of the kit can be assembled with little effort.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/833,163 US20040245125A1 (en) | 2003-04-28 | 2004-04-28 | Aerosol collection cap and container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US46580603P | 2003-04-28 | 2003-04-28 | |
US10/833,163 US20040245125A1 (en) | 2003-04-28 | 2004-04-28 | Aerosol collection cap and container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040245125A1 true US20040245125A1 (en) | 2004-12-09 |
Family
ID=33418296
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/833,163 Abandoned US20040245125A1 (en) | 2003-04-28 | 2004-04-28 | Aerosol collection cap and container |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040245125A1 (fr) |
CA (1) | CA2465804A1 (fr) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2430420A1 (fr) * | 2009-05-14 | 2012-03-21 | DNA Genotek Inc. | Dispositif de fermeture, appareil de confinement et leur procédé d'utilisation |
CN103409314A (zh) * | 2013-08-19 | 2013-11-27 | 连云港市产品质量监督检验中心 | 一种便携式厌氧菌取样及菌种转运装置 |
WO2019215504A3 (fr) * | 2018-05-07 | 2019-12-26 | Toho Technology Corporation | Récipient doté d'un capuchon |
US20200110008A1 (en) * | 2018-10-04 | 2020-04-09 | Purdue Research Foundation | Personal sampler for bioaerosol |
US11002646B2 (en) | 2011-06-19 | 2021-05-11 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Devices, solutions and methods for sample collection |
CN113057684A (zh) * | 2021-03-26 | 2021-07-02 | 重庆市妇幼保健院 | 一种宫腔分泌物取样器 |
US11572581B2 (en) | 2002-06-07 | 2023-02-07 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Compositions and methods for obtaining nucleic acids from sputum |
CN116179321A (zh) * | 2023-04-27 | 2023-05-30 | 北京慧荣和科技有限公司 | 气溶胶采样器以及报警器的评测装置 |
US20230251168A1 (en) * | 2022-02-08 | 2023-08-10 | Materials and Machines Corporation of America | Biological sample collection and dispensing system |
USD1021130S1 (en) * | 2022-06-13 | 2024-04-02 | Teal Health, Inc. | Sample collection device |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3450129A (en) * | 1966-07-06 | 1969-06-17 | Medical Supply Co | Swabbing unit |
US4311792A (en) * | 1980-04-14 | 1982-01-19 | Marion Health And Safety, Inc. | Culture collecting and transporting unit |
US4465200A (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1984-08-14 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Low contamination closure for blood collection tubes |
US4623076A (en) * | 1985-03-04 | 1986-11-18 | David Karpal | Refillable container with depressurization means |
US4720017A (en) * | 1982-07-27 | 1988-01-19 | Medical Media Laboratory, Inc. | Specimen kits and stopper therefor |
US4749655A (en) * | 1987-06-01 | 1988-06-07 | Becton Dickinson And Company | Specimen collection package |
US4967919A (en) * | 1988-11-23 | 1990-11-06 | Sherwood Medical Company | Blood collection tube safety cap |
US5552117A (en) * | 1994-04-08 | 1996-09-03 | Becton Dickinson And Company | Collection assembly having a cap lifting mechanism |
US5653686A (en) * | 1995-01-13 | 1997-08-05 | Coulter Corporation | Closed vial transfer method and system |
US5688256A (en) * | 1994-03-03 | 1997-11-18 | Lap-Cap Associates | Evacuation unit and method for controlling the release of gas from a body cavity following surgery |
-
2004
- 2004-04-27 CA CA002465804A patent/CA2465804A1/fr not_active Abandoned
- 2004-04-28 US US10/833,163 patent/US20040245125A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3450129A (en) * | 1966-07-06 | 1969-06-17 | Medical Supply Co | Swabbing unit |
US4311792A (en) * | 1980-04-14 | 1982-01-19 | Marion Health And Safety, Inc. | Culture collecting and transporting unit |
US4720017A (en) * | 1982-07-27 | 1988-01-19 | Medical Media Laboratory, Inc. | Specimen kits and stopper therefor |
US4465200A (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1984-08-14 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Low contamination closure for blood collection tubes |
US4623076A (en) * | 1985-03-04 | 1986-11-18 | David Karpal | Refillable container with depressurization means |
US4749655A (en) * | 1987-06-01 | 1988-06-07 | Becton Dickinson And Company | Specimen collection package |
US4967919A (en) * | 1988-11-23 | 1990-11-06 | Sherwood Medical Company | Blood collection tube safety cap |
US5688256A (en) * | 1994-03-03 | 1997-11-18 | Lap-Cap Associates | Evacuation unit and method for controlling the release of gas from a body cavity following surgery |
US5552117A (en) * | 1994-04-08 | 1996-09-03 | Becton Dickinson And Company | Collection assembly having a cap lifting mechanism |
US5653686A (en) * | 1995-01-13 | 1997-08-05 | Coulter Corporation | Closed vial transfer method and system |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11572581B2 (en) | 2002-06-07 | 2023-02-07 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Compositions and methods for obtaining nucleic acids from sputum |
EP2430420A4 (fr) * | 2009-05-14 | 2016-06-15 | Dna Genotek Inc | Dispositif de fermeture, appareil de confinement et leur procédé d'utilisation |
EP2430420A1 (fr) * | 2009-05-14 | 2012-03-21 | DNA Genotek Inc. | Dispositif de fermeture, appareil de confinement et leur procédé d'utilisation |
US11549870B2 (en) | 2011-06-19 | 2023-01-10 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Cell preserving solution |
US11592368B2 (en) | 2011-06-19 | 2023-02-28 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Method for collecting and preserving a biological sample |
US11002646B2 (en) | 2011-06-19 | 2021-05-11 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Devices, solutions and methods for sample collection |
US11536632B2 (en) | 2011-06-19 | 2022-12-27 | DNA Genotek, Inc. | Biological collection system |
CN103409314A (zh) * | 2013-08-19 | 2013-11-27 | 连云港市产品质量监督检验中心 | 一种便携式厌氧菌取样及菌种转运装置 |
WO2019215504A3 (fr) * | 2018-05-07 | 2019-12-26 | Toho Technology Corporation | Récipient doté d'un capuchon |
US20200110008A1 (en) * | 2018-10-04 | 2020-04-09 | Purdue Research Foundation | Personal sampler for bioaerosol |
US11754475B2 (en) * | 2018-10-04 | 2023-09-12 | Purdue Research Foundation | Personal sampler for bioaerosol |
CN113057684A (zh) * | 2021-03-26 | 2021-07-02 | 重庆市妇幼保健院 | 一种宫腔分泌物取样器 |
US20230251168A1 (en) * | 2022-02-08 | 2023-08-10 | Materials and Machines Corporation of America | Biological sample collection and dispensing system |
USD1021130S1 (en) * | 2022-06-13 | 2024-04-02 | Teal Health, Inc. | Sample collection device |
CN116179321A (zh) * | 2023-04-27 | 2023-05-30 | 北京慧荣和科技有限公司 | 气溶胶采样器以及报警器的评测装置 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2465804A1 (fr) | 2004-10-28 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |